Roy Bitan MD, Ophir Freund MD, David Zeltser MD, Sivan Ebril MD
Acute or chronic aortic dissection is considered a rare emergency, with an estimated rate of 2.9 to 5 cases per 100,000 patients each year. This condition is most prevalent in males older than 65 years of age with a history of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and previous cardiac surgery [1,2]. To confirm the diagnosis, imaging is used, often by computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest. Although prompt treatment is required, patients often present with non-specific symptoms, such as abdominal pain or neurologic deficits, resulting in the early diagnosis of less than 20% and a high mortality rate [1].